Handmade leather goods from a home studio

Online shoppers, craft market visitors, gift buyers, and people who want a personalized or made-to-measure item.

You sell each piece at a price that covers leather, hardware, your time and fees. Custom work and gift sets usually earn more per item than standard stock.

• Hand stitching and leatherworking
• Pattern making and careful measuring
• Photographing and describing your products
• Pricing so your time is covered

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning limits on workshops
• Leather dyes, glues and finishes can give off fumes and some are flammable, so check ventilation and safe storage
• Cutting tools and stitching awls are sharp, so keep a first aid kit and work carefully
• Commercial general liability insurance is worth checking, especially for market sales
• Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold and check provincial sales tax rules
• Check your home insurance, as it may not cover business stock or equipment
• Winter and holiday seasons can bring peaks in orders, so plan production time ahead

Startup costs are typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on the leather, tools and workspace setup you choose and how much stock you buy. These figures are estimates only.

Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $3,000, depending on how many pieces you make and sell online, at markets and as custom orders. These are estimates, and orders can peak around winter and holiday seasons.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or limits workshops through zoning, and whether your home insurance covers business stock and equipment. Also check ventilation and safe storage for dyes and glues, commercial general liability cover, and GST/HST registration.